One play which I enjoy so much each year is the Nativity, it’s impossible not to smile at the innocence of excited young children as they grapple with the halos, crowns or tea towels adorning their heads.

But one school in Norwich is giving it a miss this year, focusing instead on multicultural celebrations like the Jewish holiday Hanukkah and the Hindu festival of Diwali, much to the disappointment of some parents who are threatening not to send their children to school on the day of the performance.

 What a sad day it is if we deny our young children the opportunity to experience the joy of participating in a Nativity.

On Christmas Eve, the church in my next village stages a totally spontaneous and unrehearsed Nativity each year. All the children are allocated costumes as they arrive, they are dressed as angels, kings or shepherds, with the newest baby and parents playing the roles of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The belfry is converted into a stable and young animals surround the stable. It is so magical.

I wonder how many of you had roles to play in school Nativities, what are your memories from those days? I was an angel, of course, though my halo has since slipped once or twice, perhaps you was too, or maybe a shepherd, or even one of the animals, it would be fun to hear what role you played.